Canonical Erection of the Parish of Esperance by Bishop Goody

Franciscan Friars take pastoral care of the Parish of Collie, until 2000

Opening of Star of the Sea Church, Esperance

Boating tragedy in Mandurah Estuary when three Presentation Sisters – Patricia, Finbar and Joachim – and Irish priest, Fr Gerald O\’Hara, drowned after a boating accident. This resulted in temporary closure, for two years, of the Mandurah school in the church.

Ordination of Fr Bernard Dwyer in St Patrick\’s Cathedral, Bunbury the first ordination in the Diocese

First Combined Funds Scheme introduced in Albany Parish, after a committee led by Fr Jim Petry, Jim Doyle, Brian O\’Connell, Des O\’Sullivan et al had canvassed the parish. Collection went from 27 pounds to 170 pounds.

Opening of the Church of St Francis of Assisi at Walpole

Month of visitation and functions by Fr Gajkowski for Polish people at thirteen centres in the Diocese.

Opening of Tuckshop and Sports room provided by P&F at St Francis Xavier\’s College, Bunbury

Opening and blessing of the Church Mary, Help of Christians at Maradup

Fr James Petry OBE arrived from Southwark Diocese in London to work in Albany

Blessing and opening of new school at Boyup Brook

Increase of 20% for Pontifical Mission Societies\’ appeals in 1956 announced by Fr B Baldwin MSC, Diocesan Director

The Votive Candle stand made a reappearance at the crib scene in St Patrick\’s Cathedral, after many years of absence because of candle restrictions during WWII

Mission and Festa of the Madonna Assunta at Brunswick

Announcement the Federal Government would meet interest payments on loans raised to provide secondary schools accommodation at 5% per year

Feast of St Anthony Procession. Mass and Festa in Waroona

Blessing and opening of new Presbytery at Albany by Bishop JJ Rafferty of Perth

Bishop Goody on first ad limina visit to the Holy Father in Rome

Pastoral Letter of Bishop Goody explaining the changes in Eucharistic fasting from 3 hours to 1 hour and the possibility of evening Masses, encouraging both priests and people to take advantage of these new faculties

Formal opening of St Pius Christian Brothers\’ College, Albany by Bishop Goody.

Establishment of \’The South Star\’ as official organ of the Bunbury Diocese

First Mass at Needilup, for new settlers from the Jerramungup and Corrucarup areas

Dedication and opening of the Church of Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Karridale

Blessing and opening of the Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, Kukerin. Blessing and opening of the Church of Mary Queen, Lake Grace

Diocesan convention of the Holy Name Society formed a Diocesan Union to co-ordinate between parishes

Dedication of Sacred Heart Church, Cowaramup

Papal Brief from Rome establishing Mary Help of Christians and St Patrick as first and second patrons of the Diocese of Bunbury

Beginning of St Edmund\’s Christian Brothers\’ College, Collie. Brother Webster, Principal

Diocese of Bunbury established, with Launcelot John Goody appointed first Bishop

Opening of St Francis Xavier\’s\’ Marist Brothers\’ College, Bunbury

Three brick classrooms erected at St Joseph’s Waroona

Xmas Midnight Mass was the first Mass in Our Lady’s Assumption Church, Mandurah, built during the years as a school/church by Mr Stan Costello for 3800 pounds

New presbytery opened on South West Highway, alongside church

L. J. Goody consecrated in St Mary’s Cathedral, Perth by Bishop Alfred Gumner of Geraldton as Titular Bishop of Abydod [North Africa, New Tobruk]